Kharmas is considered to be an inauspicious period as per the Hindu Saka calendar followed in North India. No auspicious events are held during the period. Kharmas is given importance in Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and in parts of eastern Uttar Pradesh. In 2014, Kharmas begins on December 16 and ends on January 14, 2015.

In some regions, Kharmas is also known as Mal-Mas.

Kharmas is not followed by all calendars. All auspicious events like marriage, house warming etc are avoided during the period.

It must be noted that calendars followed in Western parts of India, Eastern parts of India and South do not observe Kharmas.